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KEFORT 



THE COMMISSION 



AIM'OIXTKT) ITNDKi: 



ACT OF CONGRESS APPKOVED JUNE 1, 1872, 



ro NKdOlIATK Willi 11 IK, 



SHOSHONE INDIANS IN WYOMING TERRITORY. 



WASHINGTON: 

GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE. 
18 73. 



REP»OIlT 



1/ 



THE COMMISSION" 



APPOINTED INDKl! 



ACT OF CONGRESS APPROVED JUNE ], 1872, 



TO NKGOTI.VTE AVITU Tl 



SHOSHONE INDIANS IN WYOMING TERRITORY. 



^ggi^-co^. 



WASHINGTON: 

GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE. 
1873. 



f'?^ 



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^ 



BoAKD OF Indian Commissioners, 

rittsburgh, October 22, 1872. 
Deau Siu: I have the honor to inclose herewith my report of iiepjo- 
tiations with the Shoshone Indians, the articles of convention for the 
cession of a part of their reservation, the proceedings of the council, 
and correspondence connected therewith. 

The serious illness of a member of my family, requiring all my atten- 
tion since my return, has prevented the preparation of the report at an 
earlier day. 

If oping that the terms of the agreement will meet your approval, 
I am, very respectfullv, your obedient servant, 

FELIX E. BRUXOT. 
lion. C. Delano, 

Secretary of (he Interior. 



REPORT OF FELIX R. BRUXOT OF NEGOTIATION AYITH 
THE SHOSHONE INDIANS FOR THE RELINQUISHMENT 
OF A PORTION OF THEIR RESERVATION IN WYOMING. 



RoAED ov Indian Commissioners, 

I'ittsburgh, October 18, 1872. 

Sir: I bave the honor to state that, in compliance with the request of 
Department telegram of the 10th nltimo, and in accordance with a let- 
ter of instructions from Hon. F. A. Walker, therein mentioned and sub- 
sequently received,! held a council, and entered into a convention with 
the Shoshone Indians of Wyoming Territory, for the relinquishment of 
apart of their reservation as contemplated by the act of Congress ap- 
proved June 1, 1872, and make the following report: 

I left Bryan Station, on the Union Pacitic Railroad, on the 11th of 
September, accompanied by Thomas K. Crec, esq., secretary of the 
Board of Indian Commissioners, and arriving at South Pass City on the 
evening of the 12th, reached the Shoshone and Bannock agency, in 
Little Wind River A'alley, on the 14th. The road to South Pass City 
crosses Green River, Big Sandy, Dry Sandy, and Pacitic Springs, pass- 
ing through a country of sandy or gravely plaius, destitute of water 
save at the streams named, chiefly covered with sage-brush, and totally 
worthless for either cultivation or grazing. South Pass City is in the 
Sweetwater mining district, on the south end of the Wind River Moun- 
tains, and about 8,500 feet above the level of the sea. Four miles far- 
ther into the mountaius is Atlantic City, and one and a half miles nir- 
ther is Camp Stambaugh, a two-company post just within the limits of 
the Shoshone reservation; and one and a half miles farther is ]\[iners' 
Delight. The population of the three towns is now probably less than 
one hundred each. The best gold mines of the district are said to be 
located on the reservation, and a quartz-mill is in operation at Miners' 
Delight. There are also some placer mines worked in the tov.n and vi- 
cinity. From Camp Stambaugh to the agency the road descends rap- 
idly through a country extremely rough and mountainous, the only tilla- 
ble land being in the Popo-Agie Valleys, the one fourteen, and the other 
twenty miles from the agency. The distance from Causp Stambaugh 
to the agency is fifty-four miles. 

There were no Indians at the agency, but a runner had been sent out 
by the agent. Dr. James Irwin, immediately on the receipt of my tele- 
gram. On the IGth he returned with the information that he found the 
Indians encamped on Green River ; that they were now on the way to 
the reservation, and expected to arrive on the 21st instant. The run- 
ner was immediately sent back with a message to Wash-a-kie to hasten 
his movements, and a note (A) to Colonel James A. Brisbin, in command 
of Camp Stambaugh, requesting his co-operation to facilitate their pass- 
age through the towns. 

The interval until the 21st was occupied iu visiting Wind River Val- 
ley, some fortj' miles north of the agency. 

Returning on the 21st, I received a letter from Colonel Brisbin (B) in- 
forming me that the Indians were encamped near Atlantic City, and re- 



qaestiiig" in behalf of Wash-a-kie and the citizens that the council should 
be held at Camp Stambaugh. Deeming- it inexpedient to comply with 
this request, I addressed a note (C) to Colonel Brisbin to that effect, and 
sent a message to Wash-a-kie, accompanied by a letter from Agent 
Irwin requesting him to come at once with his people to the agency. 

The Indians started immediately on the receipt of the letter and mes- 
sage, audit afterward appeared that the delay had been caused by the 
advice of citizens. 

The Indians arrived on the 25th, and on the I'Gth a council was con- 
vened. 

The Bannocks having no rights in the reservation under the treaty 
of 1808, and beiug at the time at the Eort Hall reservation, which had 
been set apart for them, had not been invited to the council. 

Wash-a-kie, the chief, a man of superior intelligence and ability, and 
devoted to the interest of his people, and all the principal men of the 
Shoshones, were present. 

The act of Congress authorizing the negotiation was read to them, 
and carefully reduced to simple language and explained to them. 

In re])ly, they claimed that the land desired by the Government was 
good land, and of some use to them ; that the land offered in exchange 
was worthless ; and even if it were not so, that it was claimed by, and 
subject to incursions of the Sioux, Cheyennes, Arapahoes, and Crows : 
would be worthless to the Shoshones, and, for the reasons given, they 
declined to make the proposed exchange. Their statements in regard 
to the character of the land Avere confirmed by such information as I 
could get from other sources, and in view of this and the additional fact 
that the treaty of 18G8 had already given them the right to hunt on the 
unoccupied lands north of their reservation, I could not fault them for 
their decision. 

The Shoshones, although they declined to make the exchange, were 
willing to sell the land desired by the Government, and expressed a de- 
sire to own cattle, and further negotiation resulted in a contract for the 
cession of the southern i^art of their reservation, subject to the ratifica- 
tion or rejection of the Government. 

The contract in writing was carefully explained, and fully understood 
by them, and v.as signed in the usual Indian numner, by a majority of 
the adult male members of the tribe. 

The line of division named is as far north as it could properly be 
placed, having regard to thelocation of the agency and buildings. There 
are eight white settlers immediately about the agency, who expect to 
remove, and who should receive compensation for their improvements. 

The Shoshone reservation v/as established under the peace commission 
treaty made at Fort Bridger, July3, 1808. The southern boundary-line 
is defined as "running along the crest of the divide between the Sweet- 
water and Popo-Agie liivers." The Sweetwater flows into the Platte, 
and the Popo-Agie flows northward to the Big Horn Kiver. 

Previous to the treaty the Sweetwater mining district had been dis- 
covered. Miners' Delight, then a prosperous town, was on the reserva- 
tion, and settlers were already in the valley of the Popo-Agie. I am 
informed by a prominent member of the Peace Commission that it was 
not the inteution to include any of these settlements on the reservation. 
The mistake arose from the inaccuracy of a map in their possession, 
which represented the small streams— Beaver Creek, Twin Creek, and 
Cottonwood — which rise in the mining district as being tributaries of 
the Sweetwater. 



The fact of tlioir locatiou previous to the treaty removes from mauy 
of the settlers the stigma which shoukl attacli to those who, contrary 
to hiw, and regardless of the rights of the Indians, become trespassers 
upon a reservation. On the other hand, their continuance there is 
justly regarded by the Shoshones as an infraction of the treaty. 

By far the largest portion of the Slu^shone reservation is niountainous 
and barren. The valley of Little Wind lliver, in which the agency is 
situated, contains, in the vicinity of the agency, from six to ten sections 
of fertile land, susceptible of easy irrigation and cultivation. Its great 
<lefect is the total absence of wood, the sui)plies of whicli must be 
derived from the slopes of the mountains, at <listances of from ten to 
twenty miles. In the valley <if llig Wind liiver, some tliirty miles fur- 
ther north, there is a larger body of equally desirable land on the reser- 
vation, with an abundance of timber, and it is to be regretted that the 
agency Avas not established at that point. With the exception of the 
Wind IJiver Valleys, the reservation consists of inaccessible mountains, 
and barren hill-sides and table lands, well-named bj- tlie early trappers 
and hunters tlie " Mauvaisc Terres." There is enough good land in the 
valley for all the Indians to cultivate, and for their herds. 

The portion of the reservation ceded is supposed to include the mines 
and all the gold-l)earing district. It also includes the valleys of the 
two Popo-Agies, Cottonwood Creek, lied Canon, and Beaver Creek to 
the line. In regard to Beaver Creek I have no information, but have 
estimated the other valleys to contain from twenty-tive to tliirty sec- 
tions of tillable land. The mountain-sides facing them, and some of 
the table lands have gO(td grazing, but the remainder, is worthless for 
agricultural purposes. The I'opo-Agie Valleys, like Wind Biver, are 
of a low altitude, sheltered from the west by the Wind Itiver Mount- 
tains and almost free from winter snows. This makes them of great 
value to the mining district, which is from 8,000 to 10,000 feet above 
sea-level, and is rendered almost uninhabitable by the deep snows in 
winter. The mining-camps had no other source of agricultural supplies 
netirer than one hundred miles. The anni of land ceded is about 700,000 
acres. In regard to the price to be paid for this large body of land, I 
respectfully ask your attention to the following considerations : 

Acting upon my experience of the general habit of Indians, the Sho- 
shones were offered a simi on the basis of farther negotiation, and which 
I supposed would have to be increased to meet the demand of the In- 
dians. When the terms first offered were promptly accepted, I did not 
feel at liberty to make an addition it seems eminently proper to solicit 
from Congress. The appropriation of an additional sum of slO^OOO, to 
be expended in the erection of houses, for such of the Indians as are 
willing to make permanent settlement in them and to cultivate the soil, 
would be just. 

The Shoshones are now exi-eedingly anxious to have houses to live 
in, and they have been under the impression that houses were i)romised 
them in the treaty of Fort Biidger. They are among the best disposed 
of all the uncivilized Indians, and until lately among the most neglected ; 
and have so conducted themselves as to win the kindly leelings of all 
the whites who come in contact with them. They are just now, for the 
first time, in a ])osition to accept the infiueuce of a better civilization 
than that which has chiefly exhibited |to them its vices; and there is 
good reason to believe that a continuance of the humane efforts now 
being made on the reservation for their improvement will be rewarded 
bv success. 



8 

I respectfully submit herewith the articles of convention with the 
Shoshones, ceding a portion of their reservation to the United States, 
the proceedings of the council, and correspondence referred to in this 
report. 

Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

FELIX E. BRUXOT, 

Commissioner. 
Hon. C. Delano, 

Secretary of the Interior. 



A. 

Shoshone and Bannack Agency, 

Septemher IG, 1872. 

Dear Sib : I learn from 3Ir. McAdams, the messenger who was sent 
to Wash-a-kie, that the Indians will probably reach South Pass to-mor- 
row on their way to the agency. I understand that they usually delay 
a day or two in passing through the towns; and as it is important for 
me to get through with my interview with them as soon as possible, 1 
would be very glad if they can be induced to come through without 
stopping. 

I will be greatly obliged if you will take such measures as, in your 
judgment, seem best, to prevent any unnecessary delay in passing 
through the towns near your jiost, and to prevent the Indians from get- 
ting whisky, should there be any evil-disposed persons there inclined 
to supply them. 

Very respectfully, vour obedient servant, 

FELIX R. BRUXOT, 

Commissioner. 
Colonel J. S. Bkisbin, 

Commanding Fort Stamhaugh, Wyoming Territory. 



B. 

Headquarters United States Forces, 
Cam2) Stambangh, Wyo77iing Territory, September 19, 1872. 

Sir : On receipt of your communication I sent the courier at once to 
Wasli-a-kie, who was then at South Pass, to tell him to come on to 
this point with as little delay as possible, and to come in and see me as 
soon as he arrived. The Indians, about one thousand strong, came in 
last evening and encamped near the parade-ground. Wash-a-kie is 
with them, but I have not seen him yet. Early this iiiorning he sent 
over Xorkok to tell me he wished I would write you, and say he 
prefers and desires to make the treaty with you at this point, and to ask 
you and Dr. Irwin to come up as soon as possible. Wash-a-kie also de- 
sires Cai)tain Torrey, Thirteenth Infantry, commanding at Camp Brown, 
to be present and sit in the treaty council. 

The Indians are traveling very slowly with their sick, and will not 
reach their agency for some ten days or more, perhaps not before the 2Sth 
or 2!Hh of September. To avoid delay, I advise you to grant the request 
of Wiish-a-kie, and hold \onr council with him and his chiefs at this 



point. Even if held here, it will be on the reservation, as the line di- 
vides this post. As you perhaps know, the town of Miners' Delight is 
built on the reservation, and these people are exceedingly anxious to 
have the treaty made here, as are all the citizens who wish to Avit- 
ness the proceedings. 

If you conclude to " pow-wow " here, let nie know as soon as possible, 
and I will have a place prepared in the open air Just across the line. 

The Indians are very (luiet and behaving well. Yesterday it Avas re- 
ported some Indians were drunk on the post reservation, and some at 
South Pass. I at once sent a detachment of cavalry to South Pass, and 
later in the day went over myself with a staff ofticer. We found no 
Indians, all having cleared out to their camp. There are some white 
men with the Indians who buy liquor by the bottle and give it to them. 
I notitied these men yesterday to clear out, and as the Indians are now 
camped on the military reservation, if I find them about the camps I 
will arrest them and contine them iu the guard-house. 

I am informed that Wash-a-kie and liis tribe are willing to treat for 
the Popo-Agie Valleys, and have them open to white settlers j and, from 
what I hear, feel confident your mission will be entirely successful. 
Very respectfnllv, your obedient servant, 

JAS. S. IVIMSBIX, 

Commanding. 

Felix P. Bkukot, 

Jnd i(()i ( 'o m m isx io no: 



C. 

t 

Shoshone and Bannock Agency, 

kScpfcmhcr til, 1S72. 

Dear Sir : As I did not expect the Indians to arrive until the last of 
this week, I concluded to occupy the interval in visiting the upper part 
of the reservation, and consequently did not receive your letter of the 
19th instant until my return this morning. I am greatly disappointed 
not to find them here on my return, and am sorry that I cannot comply 
with Washakie's request to meet them in council where they now are. 

Although the delay is a very serious inconvenience to me person- 
ally, yet I deem the proposed council to be of so great importance, both 
to the Indians and to the citizens of this country, that I am willing to 
remain a reasonable time longer to accomplish the object of my mission. 
Please say to Wash-a-kie that I will wait here for him and his people, 
provided they start at once and use reasonable diligence in coining. 

I will be very glad if your arrangements will i^ermit you to come and 
attend the council. I hope you will come, and bring Mrs. Brisbin with 
you. 

In regard to the wish of the citizens to be present at the council, it 
would no doubt be pleasant to have many of them ; but there are others 
whose presence would be very undesirable, and, on the whole, it vrould 
be best that white men other than those in authority should not be here. 

Jt will give me pleasure when we meet to explain to you the reason 
why I am obliged to decline meeting the Indians anywliere but at the 
agency, 

Very respectfullv, vour obedient servant, 

FELIX R. BRUXOT. 

Colonel James S. Brisbin, 

Commander, dc. tCc. 



10 

COUNCIL WITH THE SHOSHONE INDIANS. 

lender the provisious of an act entitled "An act to authorize the 
President of the United States to negotiate with the chiefs and head- 
men of the Slioshone and Bannocli Indians, for the relinquishment of 
a portion of their reservation in Wyoming," a council with them was 
convened at the Wind Eiver agency September 20, 1872, Hon. Felix 
11. Brunot, chairman of the Board of Indian Commissioners, (accom- 
])anied by Thomas K. Cree, secretary of the board,) representing the 
United States, and Wash-a-kie, chief the Shoshones, the sub-chiefs, 
head-men, and people of the Shoshones. The Bannocks were not repre- 
sented, as by the provisions of the treaty Wind Eiver reservation is set 
apart exclusively for the Shoshones, and Fort Hall reservation. Idaho, 
has been allotted to the Bannocks. 

There were present, at all the sessions of the council, Hon. Felix 1*. 
Brunot, chairman, and Thomas K. ( 'ree, secretary of the Board of Indian 
Commissioners; Dr. James Irwin, Indian agent; James I. Patton, teacher; 
Lieutenant J. B. Guthrie, United States Army; Messrs. Evans, Boyd, 
AVilliams, and other settlers, and Wash-a-kie, chief of the Shoshones, 
with the sub-chiefs and head-men of the tribe. The interpreters were 
[Norkok, the regular United States interpreter, William Eeese and 31. 
McAdams, special interpreters. 

In. opening the council Mr. Ikunot said : When we have a council in 
Washington, we know that the Great Spirit hears everything that is 
said ; that God sees into our hearts and knows all that we think and all 
that we do. We ask Him to make us do everything right, to make our 
hearts right, and our tongues straight. I am going to ask the Great 
Spirit to guide us in this council. 3Ir. Brunot then led in prayer; the 
Indians all reverently standing. 

Mr. Brunot then said: The President has *ent me here to see you, 
and to learn all about you; to look at your reservations, and see what 
kind of land there is; to see if it is good for you, and to ask how yon 
like it ; to see your agent and all the peojile who are about you ; to 
see with my own eyes how they are doing, that I may tell him when 1 
go back, i want to hear everything you have to say yourselves about 
your own affairs. If there is anything that is not right I want you to 
tell me, and whatever you wish to tell I want to hear. Anything you 
would like the President to know about yom- affairs tell it to me, and 
Mr. Cree will write it down, and the President can see it with his own 
eyes, and it will be just the same as if he heard it with his own ears. 
He wants to know about your farms here; how many Indians live on 
farms; he would be very glad if I could tell him that the chief and other 
Indians are farming. The President and many other good friends of 
the Indians see how things are going all over the country. The Avhite 
men are growing more numerous and many of the Indian tribes are 
growing smaller. The cattle of the white men are increasing, while the 
cattle of the Indians (buffalo and game) are growing scarcer. They know 
that when the buffalo are gone the Indians should have some other way 
to subsist themselves, and they are anxious to see the Indians getting 
some other way to live. If the white men had grown up without learn- 
ing to farm they would belike the Indians ; they would not know how 
to read and write. Wash-a-kie understands all these things as well as I 
do. Perhaps some of the others do not understand them as well ; for 
that reason I am saying these things, although he knows them. We 
take the small children and send them to school; we have many school- 
houses so that all the children can go. They learn but little at first, but 



11 

leani luoie an<l inoi',', and when tlioy am grown u]) they Icnow a great 
deal. It is too late lor men who are grown up to learn. That is why 
the Tresident and the Indians' friends are anxious to have a school, so 
that thechihlren will begin to learn. Then when tlie game is gone the 
children Avill know enough to live like white men. JUit I did not mean 
to talk much about this uow ; I do not want to talk much this after- 
noon. 1 want to hear whatTVash-a-kie and others wish to say. 1 want 
you to speak whatever is in your hearts. 

^VASII-A-KIl:. 1 have nothing to say. Wc want you to tell us wliat you 
came here to say. 

3Ir. Ukunot.'^I came to hear your words and to cairy chem to the 
(.Treat Father. Ibit there is another nnitter of business about the reser- 
vation that 1 Avill talk about to-morrovr. Have you nothing you wish to 
say about the agency, the buildiugs, or the fanns ! 

\VAsri-A-KiE. I would like to have houseshere ; 1 do not like to live in 
lodges; I am afr;ud of the fSioux. They come liei-e and hunt foi' scalps 
in this valley. 1 would like to have houses. We would like to talk 
about the land. 

Mr. Bri^not. We will talk about the land now if you wish. The 
President has heard for a good while that there are miuei'S ou the res- 
ervation, and Congiess has heard about it also. They heard some of 
these nnuers were here before the reservation was set apart, and that 
there were also some people living outlie farming-laud before the reser- 
vation was marked out. So they passed a law to send a man to see 
Washakie and tiie Indians, to see what arrangements could be made to 
settle all these troubles. Tliey pass this law to tiy^ and vsettle the 
whole (iuostion, so that there would never be any more trouble about it. 
I will read the law. 

Mr. liruuot then read the act of Congress, as follows: 

AN ACT to auUioiize the ri-<'sia.-!,t' „i' the Tiiitrd Slal.'S to xnsoliatf %\ ith 11u> clncrs and hcatl-m.'U 

of tlie Shoslioiie and HauuocU liibes ol ]ndi:iiis for tlic ivlhiiiuisliiufut of a iiortiou of thuir rcsirva- 

tiou ill Wyoming Tiiiitoiy. 

Be it oiacUd Inj the Smaic uiid IIonxc of J!(i)n'KCiif<ilin'-<i of (he Cnikd Stitlc-s of Awirka 
■i)i Coufprx'^ af<-scmh1c(I, Tluit the ri(»si<UMit of th(! United Stales be, {ui<l lie is Isoreby, 
aiithorizod to negotiate ■with lli(> Slioslioiio and IJa'nnock trilies of Indians for the iv- 
linquislinicnt of that ]>ortion of tlie ivsorvation of said tribes in Wyo)nino- Territory 
wliieh is situated soutli of the eeutral dividino- ridj;c between the Eij^ Popo-Agie and 
Litthi Wind Rivers, and south of tlie forty-third jiaralUd, ajid toj^cede to said tribes 
hinds lyiuo; north of and ad.jaeent to their present reservation, etjiial in crea to any 
lands by theiu eeded : and it sliall he the (hity of the I'resiih'ut io rejiort all jiroeccd- 
ino's under this act of Conoress for approval or rejeetion : I'roridcl.'llni^ anllmrity shall 
not continue lu'voud .lanuarv first, ciulitceu hundred and seven! v-tlirce. 

Api.roved .Inne 1. 1>7-,'. 

The act was reduced to simiiic language, translated, and carefully ex- 
plained to the Indians. 

TooP-SE-i>()-\V()T. I did not kn<)\\ tltcie were ;;ny whites here when 
the buffalo were hen-. 

3Ir. r>Ri ":not. 1 have been sent here to tell yon aljoiit this land, and 
to make a bai'gain Avith you for it. It all depends on the Indians. 
You nuist do just what you think best. It is your land, and you have a 
rigtit to do what you please about it. 1 desire that whatever is done shall 
be for your good, and 1 hope you will tliink about the matter very 
strongly in your iiearts, and will not do what you will be sorry for. If 
you tlnnk it is best to settle all this trouble by making a bargain 
about this land, 1 want you to do it. 1 want you to do it from your own 
hearts, and not to regard what other people' say. Sometimes one man 
advises a thing because he Avants it his own way; another man for tlie 
same reason advises some other way. If you listen to dilferent people 



12 

you will not know what to do. I think Wasli-a-kie is wise, and that lie 
sees what is best. I think he has considered the matter a great deal, 
and I think the other men have been thinking of it. Yon can see that 
white men have mines on the reservation. You know that you cannot 
eat the rocks or the gold, and that the Indians cannot dig it ont; and 
if you can get rid of trouble by cutting itolfyou know that it is best 
to do so. Here is a letter lioiu the President, (the Indian Department.) 
The following portions of the letter of the Hon. Commissioner of In- 
dian Alfairs were then read and explained to them : 

In piu-snaiice of tlic autlioiity coiifenTil by the foivgoiiig art, it is tlio desiio of the 
Dc])aitiu('iit that you visit tlic agency of said tribes, and convene them in council at 
the earliest (hiy convenient, for tht> jturpose of carrying into elfect, if jiossible, the 
changes contemplated by said act of Congress. The i)rovisions and oliject of said act 
should be carefully explained to them, in ordi'r that they may have a clear and com- 
prehensive understanding of the same. 

Mr. Bruxot. I have read the law to you and have explained it, and 
I think you understand what U meant now. I am ready to hear any- 
thing you have to say about it. 

To M. McAdams, interpreter: Do vou think tlie\- understand the 
law? 

M. j^,IcAdA3IS. I think they do, but they do not knovv- whetiier they 
are to be paid anything for tJie exchange. 

Mr. Bru:>;ot. The design of the act was to make an Qveii exchange. 
The Department thinks it is a fair exchange. If the Indians do not 
think it fair it is for them to say so. 

\Vash-A-kie. In that valley (proposed to be ceded) there is })lenty of 
grass, berries, prairie squirrel, and fish — plenty of everything of 
good land. I do not know what to do about it. I have two hearts 
about it. This land is good; that in the north is ])oor, audi think it 
belongs to the Crows. When you were at the Crows, did the Crow 
chief tell you to trade this land oif ? 

Mr. BiiUNOT. I did not say anything to the Crow s about it. It was 
none of their business. The land does not belong to them. 

Wash-A-KIE. The Shoshones think it belongs to the Crows. 

Mr. Brijnot. I will show Wash-a kie by the map that it does not be- 
long to the Crows. 

W74.sii-A-iviE. That land belongs to the Crows, the ^ioux, and every- 
body. If we went there, then the Sioux might come in and scalp us. I 
do not want that land. If the whites want to buy this land it is all 
right ; but I do not waut to trade it for land anywhere. 

Mr. Beunot. Do any of the other chiefs wish to say anything? I 
want to hear any one wlio has anything to say. 

Wash-A-kie. Whatever I say they all say; it is satisfactory to all of 
them. 

Mr. BilUNOT. I would like Wash-a-kie to tell them if they have any- 
thing to say, to speak. 

M. McAdAjis. Wash-a-kie Ins told them to speak if they have any- 
thing to say. 

TOOP-SE-PO-AVOT. We do not want that land, but we are willing to 
sell our land. 

Mr. Brunot explained by the nmp the location of the Crow, and 
Shoshone, and Bannock reservations, and the location of the agency. 

I\Ir. Bkukot. I went to see the country above Bull Lake; you have 
much good land there ; plenty of beavers and plenty of fish. That 
land belongs to you. I have told you what the President wants, and 
vou have told me what vou think about it. I will tell what vou 



have said to the I'lesideut. You said you would sell the hu'd on which 
Miners' Delight is situated. 

Wasii-a-kie. AVe do not want that land up north, but we will sell 
this land for catth'. 

Mr. liKi NOT. 1 )o ,vou know how nnich cattle you want for the land ? 

WisiiA. ^\e w ill trade our land for cattle. It would be .uood to milk 
the cows and drink the milk. I d<»n't kuow how many cattle, but I 
think about a thousand. 

Mr. Brunot. Suppose we were to nuiko a bargain about cattle, what 
woukl you do with them ? 

WisiiA. We would corral them, aiul milk theiu, 

AVasii-a-kik. If we get the cattle, we would keep them lu le and herd 
them like we do our horses. 

Mr. Ukuno'J'. If you had cattlf would some of you stay here all the 
time and herd tliem' 

WAsii-A-Km. AVhenever we move up Wind L'iver we would have to 
take them with us. We would like to liavc cattle. The IJtes and all 
the other Indians have cattle; we are poor and have none. 

To-AS-iioUT. We have nothing ; we are poor. 

Mr. Brunot. If a man gambles with another and loses his things, he 
can't have any left. Will not the Indians gamble for their cattle, and 
lose them; aild afti'r a while some will have a great many and others 
none '! 

WASir-xi-KiK. The Ir.diaus gamble a great <leal. 

31r. P.RUNOT. Would the white people get the cattle aw ay from you, 
or would you take care of them and keep them 1 

Di'UioMJA. We would take the same care of them we do our horses. 
The whites do nor beat us out of them. 

Wasii-A-kie. The Sioux, Cheyennes, and Arapahoes might come i]v 
and kill them and eat them. 

XoRKOK. Have you seen the Sioux, the Cheyennes, aiulArapahoes? 

Mr. Brunot. Yes: some of the Sioux have made peace and kept it 
for two years; IJed Cloud is at peace. I Avant all the Indians to make 
]»cace with the Shoshones, and if tliey do not make peace with other 
Indians, the President will not make peace with them. 

Wash-a-kie. Some mean Sioux are over at the Powder Pivcr j\Iount- 
ains. They are the ones Avho are coming in, making trouble around 
here. You can liud them there at abuost any tinu\ 

Mr, Brunot. I think the soldiers will be after those bad Indians l)e- 
fore long. Who is the chief of thost' bad Sioux .' 

Wa,^ii-A-kie. I do not know ; but they come out here ;wul kill l)Oih 
whites and Indians, 

Mr. Brunot. Xow suppose the President would agree to give you 
some cattle, how much land do you wish to sell for cattle :' 

Wasii-a-kie. We wish to sell "all that you have read in the letter, to 
the dividing line you s[)eak of; all on the other side of the stream, 

Mr. BiJUNOT, Doyou wish to cut it olYat lieaver Creek, or at Cot- 
tonwood Creek, or between l>ig I'opo-Agieand WindPiver .' 

XoRKOK. They want to sell all south of the North Fork of the Big 
Popo-Agie. 

Mr. Brunot. Vou want to sell the llat on which old ('amp Ihownwas 
located ? 

Wasii-A-kie. That is i)art of what we want to sell. 

Mr. Brunot, (to M. McAdams, interpreter.) What kind of country 
is that east of the mouth of the I.ittle PopoAgie and AVind Eiver? 

Mr. MCxVdams, The main Wiml Piver bottom is good, and there may 



14 

be a mile or two on each side of the river, but all outside of it is bad 
hmd till you get to Owl Creek. That is good for farming, but I think 
water is scarce. 

Mr. Brunot. The President has only given me authority to exchange 
lands, but as you have said you will not agree to exchange, I will tell 
that to the President, and as you say you are willing to sell this land for 
cattle, we Avill try what bargains "\ve can make. If we can agree on 
some exchange of your lands for cattle, I will tell it to the ] 'resident, 
and ask him to give you cattle for the land. But I do not know what 
the President will do ; whatever he does will be all right. But if a 
bargain is made between AVash-akie and me, I will ask the i*resident to 
make that bargain good. But I do not know what he will do. I want 
Wash-a-kie and the chiefs to talk about it to-night, and tell me in the 
morning what you think about it. You will tell me how many cattle 
you think you ought to have for your land, and I will tell you whether I 
think it right or not. Jf we do not agree we will have to talk more 
about it. 

M. McADiUiS. I think that it would be better for you to gi\(' them 
an estimate, that they might consider it. 

Mr. Brunot. It is difficult for me to make an estimate : I do not want 
them to make a bad bargain ; I want to do what is right; I want ^Vasb 
a-kieto tell me just where the line is to which you are willing to sell. 

Wash-A-kie. If you want to buy it, there will be no trouble about 
the line. 

Mr. Brunot. Suppose you give the President that land, and the 
President gives you five thousand dollars' worth of cattle eveiy year 
for tive years? 

AVasii-A-kie, (after a consultation with his i)t'()])le.) That is satisfac- 
tory ; we will take that. 

Mr. Brunot. I want all these men to sa\ the same tiling, if they 
think it is right. 

Wash-A-kie, (after consulting tliem.) That is right; tliey all say the 
same. 

Mr. Brunot. The reason I ask all to say it is, that your treaty says 
you cannot sell any land luiless more than half the men of your tribe 
sign the paper. I want everything to be done according to the treaty. 
I will get a paper ready to-morrow, and I want n^.ore than half the 
men to come and put their names to it. 

I want to say to the settlers in the valley, that it must not be taken 
for granted that this land is now ceded to the Go^'ernment. This mat- 
ter must be submitted to Congress, and does not amount to anything 
unless Congress agrees to it. I say this lest the report might go out 
that this agreenu'ut was made, and whites from the towns and other 
places might come and settle on it. I want it uiulerstood that it will 
be the duty of the agent now, as much as ever before, to enforce the 
laws and keep settlers off that i)art of the reservation. 

I do not want the Indians to think that this is a bargain until it is 
ratified by Congress. We will put this on a paper and I will sign it, 
and as manj^ of the chiefs and men as AVash-a-kie will bring will sign 
it. Then I will take the pai)er to the President and will tell him I 
think it is all right and I hope he will approve of it. If the President 
and Congress approve of it, it is all right. If they do not, you must 
not blame me, for I am trying to do what I think is best for you. 

Wasii-a-kie. If they agree to it, it is all right. 

Mr. Brunot. AVe will meet to-morrow at the same time we did to-day. 
AA^'onld AA'^ash-a-kie like to say anything more? I want to make you ;i 



15 

present of some cottoe and siij^ar this evening, if I can get it at the 
tra(h'i\s AVoiild you like it better this evening or to-moiTOw morning f 

Wash-A-kik. 1 would like it this evening. How do you like our 
agent? lie suits us ; he gives the little ones blankets as well as the 
big ones. 

Mr. Brunot. 1 like the agent very much, and 1 want to talk to 
Wash-a-kie inivately about the agent and other matters. 

Wasii-A-kie. When '! In the morning :' 

This conversation was held after the council, and is reported in 
another connection, ami entirely contirmed AVash-a-kie's expressions 
of the friendly relation existing between the agent and the Indians. 

Doctor liaviN. I want to say to all the Indians, I came here to try and 
do you good, and if I cannot <io you any good, I do not wish to stay 
here. If we all try to do right, the Clreat Spirit will help us and all 
will do well. 

Tlu^ council licre adjoin iied. 



S]:C().M) DAY. 

Friday, fScpfcnthc)' 27, 1<S72. 

Council convened at i' p. m. 

Mr. Biii^oT. We will now begin the council. AVe began the council 
yesterdayjjy asking the help of the (Jreat Spirit ; we will do the same 
to-day. * 

Mr. Cree then led in prayer. 

!\Ir. Brfnot. Yesterday we made an agreement, and I said I would 
put it on a i)ai)er for us to sign to-day. 1 have done so, and 1 will read 
the ])a])er so tliat you will know what it says ; and if it is all right, we 
Mill put our names to it. I will read this so that the white people can 
understaiul it, and afterward we will have it explained to the Indians. 

The articles of agreement were then read. They were explained fully, 
section by section, the boundary being illustrated by maps, streams, 
and local landmarks. 

Mr. JJiM'isoi', (reading the first section.) Is this article correct, and 
does it cut off what you wish to sell '! 

AVasii-a-kie. Yes. 

Mr. Brunot. I want AVash a-kie to explain it fully to all his ])eople. 

AVash-A-kte, (to his people after explaining the boundary.) T>o you 
all understand it .' 

(To i\Ir. Brunot.) They all understand it and agree to it. 

Air. Bri NOT. If any one has any (juestions he wishes to ask, I will 
answer them. 

Wasii-A-kie. Can we move through this land after we sell it, when we 
want to go to Utah ' I woidd like to have a road through it. 

Mr. Bri'Not. The white i»eople in the States have no right to ])ut 
down a man's fence and go through his fields, unless he tells them they 
can do so; but every white man has a right to go along the road. If 
the Indians sell this land, they have no right to take down a man's fence, 
l>nt they can go along the road. Is that right '! 

Toop-SE-P0-\VOT. if there is any road, it is good to go along the road. 

\VAsn-A-KiE. If the whites settle therein numbers we will befriends. 

Mr. Brunot, (to Lieutenant Guthrie, Doctor Irwin, Mr. Patton, and 
the white people.) Are you all satisfied that the Iiulians fully under- 
stand the i)roposed boundary ! (Each answered that he thouiiht they 
did.) 

Air. BuuNOT. Perhaps it would be better if some of the money, in- 



16 

stead of all being speut for cattle, should be expended in building- bouses. 
If yon would rather have $5,000 go to build houses next summer, I 
have no objections. If yon get the houses you will only get cattle four 
years. (A full discussion of the proposition followed.) " 

Wash-A-kie. We will give $5,000 for building houses, if the white 
people build them for the Indians to live in. 

Mr. Brunot. Will yon have the cattle for four years, and one year in 
houses ! 

Wash-A-kie. We woulil rather have the cattle for live years. 

Mr. Brunot. I want you to settle about the houses. I do not think 
you qnite nuderstand it. If you decide to have the houses next year 
you will get $5,000 iu cattle and $5,000 in houses, and $5,000 for three 
years thereafter. 

Wash-A-kie. When the first treaty was made, houses were promised 
for the Indians, but none have been built. 

Mr. Brunot. There is nothing in the treaty about that, and I think 
the Indians ought to have houses. I want to tell the Indians that 
AVash-a-kie did not say anythiug about the $500 jjer year that are to be 
paid to him ; but I thought it was right he should have it, and I put it 
in the agreement. I want to know (to the Indians) if you think it is 
right f (There was a general expression of approbation on the part of 
the Indians, and they replied, " We think it is all right.") 

Mr. Brunot. I will take this paper to Washington and show it to the 
President, and if he thinks it is right, it is a bargain. If bethinks it 
is not right, it does not amount to anything. You underMand that 
this is not what the President told me to do. He told me to exchange 
the land ; but I think it will be all right. The President vdW not have 
his chiefs together for a good while, and ]>erhaps yon will not hear 
about it till the leaves coine again ; but Doctor Irwin will tell yon as soon 
as he knows about it. We will send word to him what the President 
will do. This paper is ready for us to put our names to. I will sign it 
iirst, and then Wash-a-kie and the others. \Ve will not have thne to talk 
more to-night ; but I want to talk to all of you again. I will send you 
word when I want you to come and meet me. 

Doctor Irwin, (to Mr. Brunot.) Are you willing I sliould make a state- 
ment about the houses ? 

Mr. Brunot. I am willing that you, as their agent, should make a 
statement in regard to i t. (To Wash-a-kie.) Doctor Irwin wishes to make 
a statement about the houses, and if you wish to change the agreement 
I am willing you should do so. 

Doctor Irwin. The Shoshones have always said they wanted houses 
before they could settle down and go to farming. 

Wasii-a-kie. I told you long ago that we wanted houses, and the 
treaty promised them. 

Doctor Irwin. I want to make houses, but I cannot unless I have 
money to do so ; and the Great Father has not given me any money for 
that purpose. The treaty does not promise any. 

Wash-a-kie. Let us sign the treaty now, as it is getting late. 

The treaty was then signed by Mr. JJrunot and each Indian present. 



THIRD DAY. 



Saturday, September 28, 1872. 
Preliminary to the oi)eniug of the council a number of Indians signed 
the treaty. 

Council asseml)led at 3 o'clock. 



17 

Mr. Bkunot. I am going to talk to the Great Spirit. - 

Mr. Ihniiiot then led in prayer. 

]\Ir. liEUiXOT. 1 told you yesterday that the Great Father had seen 
me here to do t^YO things : one was about the business coneeriiiiig your 
lauds ; that we have linished. The other was to tell you what the Great 
Father wants you to do. ^N^ow, we have nn^t to-day so that 1 can tell 
you these things, and that you may tell me what you think, so that I 
can take your w<mls back to the Great Father, and he will know your 
hearts just as if he were here. The President, by the treaty, made ;i 
reservation for the Shoshones. In that treaty he promised to do some 
things, and in the same treaty the Shoshones promised to do soiiit- things. 
One thing the Gi-eat Father promised, the people he sent here did not 
do. Hti promised to keep white i)eople off tlie reservation, it was not 
the Great Father's fault that they were not ke[)t off. lie sent men to do 
it. It is Just as if Washakie were to send one of hisinen away oif to 
tell his words to others, and he did not do it. If he came back and told 
Wash-a-kie that he had told his words, Wash-a-kie would not know any 
better. So it was with the men the Great Father sent. So the Indians 
promised to do some things in the treaty, and they did not do tliem. 
Some things you did do. You pi'omised to keej) peace with the whites, 
and I think yon have done so. Unt some things you jiromised you did 
not do. This is the treaty. (Heading it.) One thing you promised is 
this: you agree when the agency-house and other buildings are erected, 
that you will make the reservation your home ; that you will not live 
permanently anywhere else. Yon said you wanted the children to learn 
to read and write, and you wanted them to learn how white i)eople make 
wheat and potatoes grow. The Indians have not yet done these things. 
Some things theCireat Father said in the treaty he would do have not 
been done, and some things the Indians said they would do have not 
been done. When the snow melts on the mountains it is all gone ; yon 
never seethe same snow again; when the leaves are gone in the fall, you 
never see the same leaves any more. So it is with these things that we 
have not done ; they are all gone; they are away behind us ; let us leave 
them there and forget about them. But we want to begin again right 
here, and all that is before us we can see and do. The Great Father has 
sent an agent here to do everything he promised in the treaty. He ex- 
pects Doctor Irwin always to do what the treaty says. Now what ought 
the Indians to do for their part I Do you not think you ought to try and 
do what the Great Father wants you to ? What do you say i Is not 
that good 'i (The Indians expressed their approbation.) You see the 
large Indian tield. Dr. Irwin planted wheat and potatoes in it. He did 
that to show you that things would grow there, and to show \(iu how he 
makes them grow. Suppose an Indian looks at that and thinks Doctor 
Irwin will make a larger field next year. That is a mistake. It is to 
show the Indians how they can do it, and to get them to plant in that 
field next year. You think you cannot do that ; that you do not know 
how. Suppose a man sees a butfalo running ; he folds liis arms and says 
it goes so fast I cannot catch it, and sits down ; he will starve; but sup- 
pose he says I am going to catch it, and goes after it ami catches it; he 
has plenty to eat. So it is with that field ; if you sit down and say I 
don't know how to work it, things in it will not grow ; summer is gone 
and nothing is raised on it. But if you say to Doctor Irwin I will try, 
this year you will have some potatoes, and next year you will have more* 

The Great Father wants you to try. Your hands will get a little sore 
at first, but soon they will get hard, and when the things grow you 
have them for yourself, and find them good. 
2 S 



18 

I want to tell about some other Indians, tlie Nez Perces, Umatillas, 
Cayuses, Yakimas, Kliquitats, Flatheads, and some otbeis. whom I 
have seen with my own eyes. At hrst they said it is no use to work, 
but they tried, and now they have many houses and fields around them, 
and things growing. They have coavs; they do not eat the cows and 
calves, but they let them increase, and now they have twice as many 
cows as the Shoshoues have ponies. The Great Father wants you to 
start in that road. 

Wasii-a-kie. I think we can learn if the whites do it, and then show 
us how ; the Indians can soon learn. 

Mr. Bkunot. The treaty said the Great Father will send an agent, a 
farmer, and others to teach you. The farmer is to teach the Indians 
how to farm. The blacksmith will do work that Indians cannot do, but 
I would like the Indians to send somebody there to learn how^ to do 
that kind of work ; and so you should learn to do everything that is 
done here. There is a teacher here to teach the children. If you do 
not take your gun to the blacksmith he cannot mend it, and there 
would be no use in having a blacksmith. If you do not send the chil- 
dren to the teacher he cannot teach them. Wash-a-kie says he is going 
to have his boys learn, and I hope many of you will send your boys and 
girls. They have to begin to learn or they will not know anything. If 
they learn, after a while you will not need an agent, or any one to tell the 
Great Father what you wish ; you can tell him yourselves. Two years 
ago the man who sat by the Great Father, and who sent everything to 
all the Indians, was an Indian himself. Some of these boys, if they go 
to school and learn, may some day stand by the Great Father. I think 
you are tired, and I)octor Irwin wants to give you some beef, and I will 
talk but a few words more. I want you to think about these thuigs. 

There are some white people who have fiirms on the reservation. 
Most of these men came here when they thought the lands belonged to 
the Great Father. These people will have to go away ; they cannot go 
away now, but next year they will go away. While they stay here, they 
have the things they planted, and their fences. They worked for them, 
and they are theirs. It will not be long until the Great Father will 
pay them for these things, and they will go somewhere else ; but while 
they are here the Indians nuist not disturb their fields or fences. 

Wasii-a-kie, (and many Indians.) That is good talk. Sometimes 
an old woman pulls down a pole from a fence, and we cannot help it. 

Mr. Brunot. You will show that you think it is good talk by doing 
what you can to protect them. Doctor Irwin wants me to talk about 
another thing. In this treaty it talks about building houses; I want 
to read it. 

Wash-A-kte. The old treaty is not good now. 

Mr. Bkitn^ot. It is all good still. It says the Great Father must 
build a house for the agent, miller, blacksmith, and other employes. 

Wash-A-kie. I heard that long ago, but never saw them until this 
summer. There is no gunsmith here. 

Mr. Brunot. It shows the President is doing all he promised. But 
it does not say anytlnng about building houses for Indians; I am sorry 
for that. 

Wash-A-kie. For years I have asked to have houses built tbr the 
Indians. 

Mr. Brunot. Doctor Irwin is very anxious to build houses for you, 
but he has no money to build them with. This old treaty is good, and 
stands just as it was before, except in regard to the piece we cut off from 
the reservation. In all time to come we want both the whites and the 



19 

Indians to do what is in the treaty. That is all I will say now. To-mor- 
row alternoou, if yon are at home in yom- villa<;e, I would like to see 
you all, men, women, and children, and may be 1 will talk a little to you 
then. 

Wash-a-kie. That is good. 

Mr. Brunot. If any of you wish to talk to me, I will listen. 

AVash-A-kii:. It is very little we Indians know to talk about. 

The council then adjounied. 

THO.AIAS K. CIIEE, 

tSecretary. 



ARTICLES OF CONVENTIOX \Yrni THE SHOSHONE INDIANS. 

Articles of a convention made and concluded at the Shoslionc and Ban- 
nock Indian agency, in Wyoming Territory, this twenty-sixth day of 
September, in the year of our Lord eighteen hnndre<[ and scxcnty- 
two, by and between Felix 11. Brunot, commissioner on the part of 
the United States, and the chiefs, head-men, and men of tlie eastern 
band of Shoshone Indians, constituting a majoritj' of all adult male 
Indians of said band or tribe of Indians, and duly authorized to act in 
the premises, witnesseth : 

That whereas by article 11 of a treaty with the Shoshone (eastern 
band) and Bannock tribes of Indians, made the 3d day of Julv, 18G8, 
at Fort Bridger, Utah Territory, a reservation was set apart for the use 
and occupancy of said tribes of Indians, in tlie following words : "The 
United States further agrees that the following district of country, to 
wit, commencing at the mouth of Owl Creek and running due south 
to the crest of the divide between the Sweet^\■ater and the l*opo- Agie 
Itivers ; thence along the crest of said divide and the summit of Wind 
Kiver Mountains to tlie longitude of north fork of Wind Biver; thence 
due north to the mouth of said north fork, and up its channel to a 
point twenty miles above its mouth ; thence in a straight line to head- 
waters of Owl Creek, and along middle of channel of Owl Creek to 
l^lace of beginning, shall be, and the same is, set apart for the absolute 
and undisturbed use and occupation of the Shoshone Indians herein 
named." 

And w hereas, previous to and since the date of said treaty, mines 
have been discovered, and citizens of the United States have made im- 
provements within the limits of said reservation, and it is deemed ad- 
visable for the settlement of all difticulty between the parties, arising 
in consequence of said occupancy, to change the southern liiidt of said 
reservation — 

1. The Shoshone band or tribe of Indians (eastern l>and) hereby cede 
to the United States of America that portioii of their reservation in 
Wyoming Territory which is situated south of a line beginning at a 
point on the eastern boundary of the Shoshone and Bannock reserva- 
tion, due east of the mouth of the Little Popo-Agie, at its junction with 
the Popo-Agie, and running from said point west to the mouth of the 
Little Popo-Agie to the north fork and up the north fork to the mouth 
of the canon ; thence west to the western boundary of the reservation. 

2. The United States agree to pay to the Shoshone (eastern) baud or 
tribe the sum of 823,000, said sum to be expended under the direction 
of the President, for the benetit and use of said Indians, in the follow- 
ing manner, viz: On or before the 10th day of August of each year, for 
the term of five years after the ratilication of this agreement, 83,000 



20 

shall be expended in tlie pnrcliase of stock-cattle, and said cattle de- 
livered to the Slioslioues on their reservation. 

The salary of $500 per annum shall be paid by the United States, for 
the term of hve years, to Wash-a-kie, chief of the Shoshoues. 

3. AVithiu the term of six mouths, and as soon as practicable after 
ratification of this agreement, the Uuited States shall cause the south- 
ern line of the Shoshone reservation, as herein designated, to be sur- 
veyed and marked at suitable points on the ground, and until said line 
has been so surveyed and marked, the United States binds itself not to 
l)ermit the intrusion of any white persons u^jon any of the agricultural 
or other lauds within the limit of the district proposed to be ceded. 

4. This convention or agreement is made subject to the approval of 
the President, and the ratification or rejection of Congress of the United 
States. 

FELIX K. BRUN^OT, 

Commissioner. 
Witnesses: 

Lieutenant J. B. Gutheie, 

Thirteenth United States Infantry, 
Thomas K. Cree, Secretary. 

AVash-a-kie, his x mark. 

Nor-kok, his x mark. 

Wanny-pitiz, (Fox,) his x mark. 

-Bazeel, his x mark. 

Wear-an-go, his x mark. 

Toop-se-po-wots, (Dirty-back,) his x mark. 

Do-se-pan-a-do-po, his x mark. 

To-ash-na, his x mark. 

Te-ar-ax-a, (Sweating-horse,) his x mark. 

Te-ne-an-do-ka, (Horse's-grandfather,) his x mark. 

Beaver Charley, his x mark. 

E-o-ta, his x mark. 

Ti-and-a-bo-a, (Hole-in-the-ground-half-cov- 

ered,) his x mark. 

Co-at-sat-sa, his x mark. 

Co-na-gat, his x mark. 

To-wo-ya-ge, (Rabbit-crying,) his x mark. 

To-whait, (Grab-you-and-throw-you-down,) his x mark. 

Ha-ba, his x mark. 

Te-ne-gat-ze, (Bone-pounder,) his x mark. 

Wisha, his x mark. 

Ona-do-shic, (Top-knot-rooster,) his x mark. 

To-nam-be, (Blackfoot,) his x mark. 

Wo-wim-bootz, (Wagon,) his x mark. 

O-a-ta, his x mark. 

Ki-o-con-to-co, his x mark. 

To-gun-ta, his x mark. 

Sic-can-a-wit-se, (Holding-down-with-medi- 

cine-stick,) his x mark. 

A-te-wan, (Holds-his-bow-in-his-hand,) his x mark. 

No-kie, (Pack-on-his-back,) his x mark. 

Tar-ash, his x mark. 

Sa-re-ca, (Lots-of-dogs,) his x mark. 

Ah-wan, (Hollow-horn,) his x mark. 

Ka-te-wino-ga, (Deaf,) his x mark. 

To-na-uook, (Boriug-a-hole,) his x mark. 



21 



To-wai, bis x mark. 

Ho8\]oe, (A bird,) liis x mark. 

To-e iia-wa-ka, liis x mark. 

Tar-ge, liis x mark. 

Ko-Da-ya, (Wash-a-kie's sou,) liis x mark. 

Pe-a-iu-ca, (Big-red,) . liis x mark. 

Pan-te-mu-co, his x mark. 

To-an-e-bush, liis x mark. 

Poo-ap, (Bob,) his x mark. 

Sho-sho-uee, (Snake,) his x mark. 

Ho-vez, (Lay down,) his x mark. 

Po-ne-wa-na, (Stand-and-look,) his x mark. 

Hi-bun-do-sa, (Crow-eye,) his x mark. 

Henry, his x mark. 

John, his x mark. 

]Moou-in-ha-Ye, (Lying-over-his-horse,) his x mark. 

Ta-pa, (Tlirow-a-rock,) his x mark. 

K-at-tiie, (In-tlie-middle-of-lodgeJ his x mark. 

We-don-ga, (Greasy-crow,) his x mark. 

Au-gua-at-sa, his x mark. 

Pan-guin-so-ma, (Fish-bone,) his x mark. 

jSTe-ne-manbe, his x mark, 

John Sinclair, his x mark. 

Pan-gin-no-na, (Ilarapty-lisl),) his x mark. 

Ila-na-ur, his s mark. 

Xa-se-wick, his x maik. 

Pe-a-tu-ga, his x marli. 

We-te-se-gat-se, his x mark. 

Paw-lio-te-uat-se, his x marlc. 

Paw-in-gap, his x mark. 

E-shi-u-no, liis x mark. 

Min-dat-se, his x mark. 

To-shi-a, liis x mark, 

To-yo-gat-sa, his x mark. 

Pe-a-ro-ua, his x mark. 

We-don-ba, his x mark. 

Ciua-se-te, liis x mark. 

Wo-wan-a-ge, his x mark. 

Bow-au, • his x marli. 

O-am-bis-se, his x mark. 

Pa-ga-uit-se, his x mark. 

Ko-ro-ko, (Neck-tie,) his x mark. 

A-go-nar-a-kok, (Cut-tougne,) his x mark. 

A-ree, his x mark. 

Kau-a-ra, his x mark. 

We-a-wickle, (Piit-his-finger-in-a-crack,) his x mark. 

Ko-gnsh, (Little-pig,) his x mark. 

Ta-kit, his x mark. 

AVo-to-pa, his x mark. 

Ha-we-joe, his x mark. 

Yo-wa-se-go, his x mark. 

A-do-iia, his x mark. 

Wood-se-wo-sa, his x mark. 

Mo-rnm-ya, his x mark. 

Aoa-de-wo-im, his x mark. 

A-do-run, his x mark. 



22 



To-no-was-he, 


his X mark. 


T;ish-lie, 


his X mark. 


Pa-liou-te, 


his X mark. 


Ta-we, 


his X mark 


Wat-se-ke, 


his X mark 


Ka-de-niu-ge, 


his X mark 


Po-qai-e-wit-ta, 


his X mark 


AYir-se-a, 


his X mark 


Ko-ra-Tvit-se, (Buck-antelope,) 


his X mark 


Ta-wa-sbap, 


his X mark 


Kag-a-roma, (Eobe-over-bis-head,) 


his X mark 


So-na-zigua, (Touch-tlie-grass,) 


his X mark 


We-mo-rats, 


his X mark 


Co-a-tzu, 


his X mark 


Pe-c-gouatz, 


his X mark 


Pe-ma, 


his X niitrk 


To-cutsy, (Earn,) 


his X mark 


We-am, (Drag-it,) 


his X mark 


i\Ii-lbe-sip, 


his X mark 


Pe-ri-gob-ns, 


his X mark. 


Ho-a-gua, (Been-out-scouting-and-comiug- 




back,) 


his X mark. 


Ta-gua- sua, (Black-shirt,) 


his X mark 


Pe-z-rata, 


his X mark. 


B-slia-bitza, (Red-paiut,) 


his X mark. 


So-ha-wauot, (Butt-of-a-cotton- wood-tree,) 


his X mark 


John, 


his X mark. 


To-taw, (Black-teeth,) 


his X mark 


War-as-huga, 


his X mark. 


Sho-a-paw-bo, (Emigrant-road,) 


his X mark. 


Attest : 




EoEKOK, United States Interpreter . 


his X mark. 


M. McAda^is, Interpreter. 




William Bees, Interpreter. 





Witnesses : 

Thomas K. Creb, Secretary. 

Ja:mes Ieavin, Agent. 

J. B. Guthrie, Lieutenant Thirteenth United States Infantry. 

James K. Moore, Indian Trader. 

Darius Williams. 

Prank Trujieull. 

JA3IES Irving Patton. 



visit to SHOSHONE INDIAN AGENCY, WIND RIVER. 

Left Denver Tuesday, September 10 -, arrived at South Pass Thurs- 
day, September 12. Found the citizens of South Pass much excited 
over a reported raid of some three hundred Cheyenne and Arapaho 
warriors. They were, at the time of our arrival, said to be engaged 
Avith the forces at Camp Stambaugh, under Lieutenant liobinsou, and 
that he had seut into the post for re-enforcements ; that all the availa- 
ble men at the post and a howitzer had been sent him. 



iWf'nearfi/fice^eyiefeAcTi'aiU U/A 







^ f <f^^...-^ .^iU;r. 



''■PETtRS. PHOTO-LiTHOGRAPHER. WASHtNOTON i 



23 

]\rr. Sinitli, of South Pass, wlio liad just come in from a snout, with a 
l)arty of citizens on the Powder Elver country road, rei)orted that his 
l)arty had met four Iiulians, and had driven them into th(^ cavah'y, hut 
all had escaped. Some citizens reported luivino- seen, with the Indians, 
the hoi'ses of two misshig- white men, both of whom they said were 
surely killed. 

Priday morning, September 13, left at S oV-loek for Wind Eiverag^ency, 
fifty miles distant. Stop])ed at Camp Stand)augh, six miles from South 
Pass, to call upon General Brisbin, in comnunid of the post. AVhile at 
Camp Stambaugh, we learned that seven cavalrymen, when siiouting 
near the jxist on llie day beibre, encountered In(bans (as they su])p()se(l) 
in a valley, fonr miles distant, and oix'ned hre upon them, wiiieh was 
vigorously returned. Alter an engagement of two hours, the enemy 
"clianged their base" to an o])i)Osite hill-top, and dis]>layed themselves, 
eleven in nuHd)er. A soldier was dispatelied to. Stambaugh for re-en- 
forcements, but, fortuiuitely, before the re-enforcements and the cannon 
arrived, it was discovered that the supposed Indians were a party of 
eleven citizens, in search of the two missing men, who had also taken 
the soldiers for Indians. This e\ent gave rise to the alarm at South 
Pass ('ity, and to the extravagant statemt'ut which greeted us there. A 
detachment of lifty cavalrymen had been sent on a scout after the mnr- 
derers of Ileeuan,"^ but had returned unsuccessful. The only Indians 
they had seen were the four (the same rei)orted by Mr. Smith) who had 
been surrounded by the comi)any, but succeeded in escaping through 
their lines unhurt. They i)assed within thirty to iifty yards of the sol- 
diers, ami, to use tlu^ expression of one of the officers, "More than a 
peck of bullets " had been tired at them. 

In regard to the parties uiaking these raids. General Brisbin states 
that there are marks of many boots, as well as moccasins ; showing 
tliat among the raiders were white n)eu and JMexicans. lie says 
that he is convinced that all these raids on the Shoshones and whites are 
made from a cam]) of "r7o// sohliers," comjiosed of Arapahoes and a few 
Cheyenues and whites and JMexicans, who have a village se])arate from 
the other Indians of these tribes, and who are not subject to the control 
of their chiefs. 

A large number of Mexicans who came into the country as teamsters 
had joined these Indians ; and some white men, well known in the country, 
were known to be with them. At Miners' Delight found the " two miss- 
big citizens," who had returned with their horses, having seen no 
Indians. Called upon the family of Ueeuan, the man who had been 
killed. 

From all the informatien we ccmld gather concerning the raid we came 
to the conclusion that there were not more than a dozen Iiulians, if any, 
and that they were renegades, whose object was horse-steabng. Nine 
horses were said to have been stolen, and one man was killed, ])robably 
to <^vt ])ossession of his team. The raiding ])ai'ty escaped safely, speml- 
ing some tbrt\-eight hoars in the region of A\'ind Piver Valley, and no 
further eflbrt was juade to discover who they were or where tiiey went. 

Arrived at the agency on Saturday evening. Pound none of the In- 
dians were in. Doctor Irwin had sent word for them to come. Waited 
for them some ten days, which time was spent in examining into the 
atfairsof the agency, and visiting different parts of the reservation. 

The Shoshone and Bannack Indian reservation, situated in \Vyoniing, 
embraces a considerable extent of country, but is very mountainous. 
Much of the land is high plains and rolling land, (called' bad land.) that 
lies so high above the level of the few water-courses, that it w ill never 



24 

bs fit for cultivation, aud much of it is unfit for grazing purposes. Tliere 
are several well- watered valleys sufficient to provide farms for the In- 
dians when they wish them. Much of the land, more particularly to 
the east and north, is not occupied hy the Indians even for hunting pur- 
poses, on account of its being open to the incursions of hostile Cheyeunes 
and Arapahoes, except during tbe winter months, when the snow on the 
mountains, bounding it to the cast, prevents their getting to it. At any 
other season of the j'ear both Avhites and Indians consider any part of 
the reservation dangerous, and in moving about they always go armed, 
and usually only in parties large enough for protection. 

For many years it has been the custom for hostile bands of Arapahoes, 
and white and Mexican allies, to come into the valleys of the reserva- 
tion, andmany of the Indians (and whites) have been killed, and many 
horses carried away. By the provisions of tlie treaty the Indians are 
guaranteed protection ; tliis has never been afforded them, and, for their 
own protection, each spring the Shoshoneshave moved down into Utah 
and over the mountains into the valley of Green Eiver. At these points 
tliey come into contact with many of the worst class of white men, by. 
■\> horn they are supplied with whisky, and the result of each trip is 
demoralizing. 

Tbe reservation, although called that of the Shoshone and Bannock 
Indians, is onl}' intended for the Shoshones. They occupy it to the 
mimber of about one thousand. The aiinuity goods for the Bannocks, 
who are assigned to Fort Hall (Idaho) reservation, are sent here for 
distribution. Until the present season no efibrt has been made to induce 
the Shoshones to farm or settle down to the pursuits of civilization. The 
danger of remaining on the reservation, the necessity of obtaining i)art 
of their subsistence, and their incursions south, with other causes, *have 
effectually prevented anything being accomplished. Means have been 
l>rovided assuring their subsistence at least during the winter, and some 
three hundred acres have been fenced and broken, with the intention of 
inducing as many Indians as are willing to begin farming. The urgent 
need is lionses for such as are willing to abandon then- wandering life, 
and the Indians have always been under the impression that by the for- 
mer treaty (Bridger) they were to have houses built for them, and they 
Hay the former agents promised to build them for them. i 

The agency buildings are badly located, being several miles from any 
wood for fuel, or timber for building purposes, and as the Indians i)0S- 
sess no means of carrying wood except on their ponies, this is a serious 
objection. The buildings, seven in number, (as provided by the treaty,) 
and in addition a block-house, school-house, warehouse, and mill, are 
^comfortable, and are pleasantly located. The farm has i)roduced a good 
crop of wheat, and oats, and potatoes, and otlier vegetal)les. The em- 
ployes consist of the agent, physician, teacher, farmer, carpenter, black- 
smith, engineer, miUer, two interpreters, and thixie laborers. These 
employes are paid by the year, although for about six months in the 
year all the Indians are away. The physician employed is the regular, 
army surgeon at Camp Brown. Two interpreters are employed at $500 1 
per year each, representing different tribes, (Shoshone aud Bannack,) I 
yet both tribes speak the Slioshone dialect. I 

The flour-mill, saw-mill, and shingle-machine have just been finished, 
and are ready for operation. 

The school, owing to various causes, has so far been a failure, and none \ 
of the Indians have received any benefit from it. i 

In the issue of provisions (which we saw) Doctor Irwin's system was 
the best we liave seen anywhere. An accurate census of each tejje (one 



25 

hundred and eighteen in number) was taken, and a record kept in the 
books of the office. Each tepe was numbered, and a metal check, with 
a corresponding- number, was given its inmates. This check was pre- 
sented each issue-day, and its number called for the issue of rations 
corresponding in amount with the number occupyhig the tepe. The 
census taken showed the number of men and boys over six years, 330 j 
women and girls over six years, 33G; children imder six, 130; total 896. 

The amount of issue for ten days was G,51G pounds of flour, and about 
an equal amount of beef. The issue of the beef was not so systematic. 
The beeves were killed and then given to the Indians to divide as they 
saw proper. 

After tlic couiu'il with the Indians Mr. Urunot had a conversation with 
_Wash-a-kie, the chief. 

CONVERSATION WITH WASH-A-KLE. 

Mr. Brunot. Did you like the agent when he first camfe here ? 

Wash-A-kie. I liked him ; he gave blankets to all. 
;Mr. Brunot. Did any one tell you the agent was not good ? 
' Wash-a-kie. Many whites told me he was bad ; once in a while one 
would tell me he was good. All the Indians liked him ; he does not tell 
lies ; he is slow about things, and I like him for that. Some whites tried 
to drive him away ; they sent letters to AVashingtou saying he was not 
good. The}^ lied about it. 

Mr. Brunot. Men told me Wash-a-kie did not like the agent. 

Wash-a-kie. They lied ; I never said so. 

Mr. Brunot. 1 think the agent is a good man. 

Wash-a-kie. He has a good heart. 

Mr. Brunot. He has a straight tongue. When you want anything 
go. to the agent and he will tell you the truth. I hope you v. ill help the 
a^nt to do what he wants ; it is for your good ; you must not mind the 
lies you hear outside. The agent wants you to send your cliildren here 
to school ; it is not to do the agent good, but the children good. The 
I'resident and all the friends of tlie Indians want that. There are many 
men who do not want the Indians' land or goods ; they want to do the 
Indians good. Many bad white men do not like the Indians ; these 
])8ople say they are only fit to be killed. Now, the President is one 
of the friends of the Indians ; the Indians ought to try and help their 
iriends. When we try and help the Indians, you ought to help us by 
trying to do well. When you do not listen to your friends then you 
help the men who are working against you. When the President has 
sent an agent whom he thinks a good man, you must always listen to 
him. You told me you had three Bannocks here 5 do you want the 
other Bannocks to come and stay on the reservation % 

Wash-a-kie. No; I do not want them here. Someof them are mean, 
and I do not want them here. 

Mr. Brunot. Have any of the Shoshones been in Utah, below Salt 
Lake, this spring or summer? 

Wash-a-kie. A few of the Shoshones were in Cash Valley this sum- 
mer. 

Mr. Britnot. Do any of tkem go down to the Ute reservation ? 

AVash-a-kie. No ; they do not any of them go there. 

jMr. Brunot. After this talk is over are vou going to stav here this 
fall? 

Mr. MCxVda3is. They will do whatever is asked of them; if they are 



26 

provided for tliey will stay here, or if they are told to they will go off 
aud hunt. 

Wash-a-kie. We will go out this fiill; we want to get some buffalo 
meat aud robes, aud theu we will come back a ad stay all wiuter. 

Mr. Brunot. AVould Washakie aud his people waut to have fields 
and stay here next spring "? 

Wash-A-kie. I don't know about that ; I am going away for awhile 
this fall to hunt. 

Mr. Brunot. Do you want your people to learn to farm ? 

Wash-a-kie. I would like to have houses ; some of the people might 
stay ; if they have no houses they have to move around ; we are afraid 
of the Sioux ; they may come aud kill some of my boys. 

Wash-a-kie said that a party of eight of his men took the trail of the 
party who killed Heeuan and followed it to the Sweetwater, being gone 
three days. He said, I think Heenan was killed by Iiulians, and that 
there were fifty or sixty Indians in the party. I do not know whether 
it was done by Arrapaho, Cheyenne, or Sioux. That Friday, chief of 
the Arrapahoes, ])retends to be very fi-iendly with the whites ; lie goes to 
Fort Fetterman and is the friend of the whites until he gets enough of 
powder and lead to do a year, and then he goes aud gives it to the hos- 
tde Indians, and they kill the Shoshoues and the whites with' it. He lives 
in the Powaler Elver country, and there is where these Indians who raid on 
this region come from. Medicineman stays T\dth Friday all the time. 
Mr. Mc Adams found a hair lariat near where Heenan was killed that 
was like the Arrapahoes make. Heeuan was not scalj)ed, perhaps because 
his hair was cut short. The reason the Arrapahoes come in every year 
is, may be, to avenge the death of Black Bear, who was killed with his 
son and mother-in-law, by the whites, near the village of Atlanta. 

Having visited several sections of the reservation before arranging 
for the ceding of a portion of it, Mr. Brunot was satisfied that a sufiicient 
quantity of good farming land was stiU left to provide each of the In- 
dians with a good farm. 

In view of the proposed action of Congress looking to the purchase 
of a portion of the Shoshone reservation, and the probable removal of 
settlers from the remaining iiortion of it. Commissioner Brunot met the 
settlers, and they made the following statements in regard to their 
claims : 

STATET.IENTS OF SETTLERS ON SHOSHONE RESERVATION. 

The following are those having claims on the reservation : 

Thomas Cosgrove, John L. Parker, Darius Williams, William Evans, 
William Boyd, James llogers, Tilford Kutch, and IT. P. Davidson. 
(The last two claimants had been previously ordered off the reservation.) 

William Evans. I have a claim on the reservation. I came May 18, 
18G8. I did not build a cabin on my claim uutil the next season. I 
helped to build a cabin on the reservation, but not on my own claim. 
Kutch, Davidson, Parker, and myself cime on at tlie same tiuie ; and for 
protection we built one cabin, and all lived in it. We were the first men 
who came into the valley to live. Have made improvements from time 
to time ever since. I have fifty acres under fence, thirty-six to forty 
acres broken. I have a house — uo barn, only temporary i^oles, Avhich 
are covered every wiuter with straw. I have been afraid to make im 
provemeuts siuce it was made a reservation. It would be hard to say 
what my improvements are worth. They would have cost considerable 



27 

money at the time I built, as labor was high and scarce, as well as ma- 
teriaL It was made a reservation the same summer we came iu. We 
heard it iu August, but were not certain about it. The treaty was not 
ratified until January or February following. I had only a little garden. 
It would cost for breaking land now about six dollars ])er acre. I cannot 
say how much it would cost to get out poles and make a fence. At the 
time it was done, it would have cost much more than it would now. I 
think the fencing would cost now five hundred dollars. Have ])aid 
as high as eight dollars per a<;re for breaking sod. At other times had 
it done for six dollars. 

John L. Paekek. I came into the valley May 10, 1808, at the same 
time Mr. Evans did. I put up improvenu^nts the same season. Bid it 
in the fall. I built a cabin and lived in it. It had a cellar. I had no 
land inclosed. I built a house and dug a well. I was not able to plow 
my land, or haul poles, for want of a team, sol went with Mr. Evans. 
I Was going to break some land last fall, but Dr. Irwin ad\ ised mo 
not to. 

Dr. Irwin. When I came here I found Mr. Parker with a good house 
and well. I found him ready to break some land. I told him I would 
take ])ossession of his land, and inclose it iu the agency farm; but it 
would not interfere with his claim. He would stand the same as other 
settlers. 

Mr. McAdams. I have uo claim, I live in Mr. Cosgrove's house. 

Thomas Cosgrove. I came here iu August, 1809. I bought my 
place from Mr. Podwell, who came iu the summer or fall of 1808. Have 
made some improvements since. Have broken twenty-live acres of land. 
Have forty acres under fence. Have a fence made of pine i)oles. It is 
not as good as the doctor's feuce. I ha\ e about a thousand poles or 
more, and probably two thousand posts. There are three i»osts to a 
panel. I have a sod (adobe) house, about eighteen by twenty feet, with 
poles and dirt roof. I was living in a log-house iu 1800. Indians came 
in and killed my partner and ruu oft' our stock. I built a sod-house 
then for better protection. 

Darius WiLHA:\rs. I have been coining and going on the reservation 
since the fall of 1808. I bought my place from Mr. Sprague, who came 
in June, 1808. Bought it in May, 1809. I have a stone-house, twelve 
by sixteen feet. Have about twenty-five acres broken. I have had 
pretty near all my laud inclosed at one time — ahnost seventy acres. 
The Indians burned up almost one hundred rods of fence, and I had to 
cut it down. I have almost thirty acres inclosed now. It is a spiked 
fence, like the doctor's fence. I threw out part of my laud that was 
broken, because I could not get posts to fence it after the Indians burned 
my fence. I am sure the Indians burned it. They were camped on my 
ground. Kutch told the Indians where his fence ended, and that they 
could burn the rest if they wished. Wash-a-kie ordered them to quit 
burning the fence, but they continued to do so. I notilied Mr. Steven- 
son, as Dr. Irwin was absent. The Indians were told it was their 
ground and their fence, and they -had a right to do what they pleased 
with it. They were told to burn it. I never blamed the Indians for it 
as much as I blamed Kutch aud Davidson, who told thorn to burn it. 

WiLLAM Boyd. I came here in Se])tember, 1870. I bought the place. 
It was improved almost the same time as Mr. Evans's. It Avas improved 
by Mr. Doty. He built the house. I\Ir. Marshall bought from :\lr. Doty, 
and I bongiit from Mr. ^Marshall. I have a quit-claim deed. There was 
a stone-house, 20 by 17, 8-feet wall, with a cellar aud a log building, 16 
by 15, and 20 acres of laud under feuce. I have put up one log-house 



28 

since, and liave GO acres under fence now. There were but 20 acres wben 
I bought it. I have 36 acres under cultivation. Have a good well 
walled up, 

Mr. Brunot. I do not know what course will be taken in regard to 
settlers. If I were settled on the reservation I would not make any 
more improvements until some decision was come to about it. 

William Boit). I thought I had a right to bold the land when I 
bought it, because I had a Shoshone wife; but I have learned since that 
I have no more right to hold it than any other citizen. I will be satis- 
fied if I can be paid what I expended; or if I cannot, I want to know 
it, and get out, if I have to go. I bought the place because it was im- 
proved, and I thought I had a right toehold it. 

Mr. Bruxot. I think the question ought to be settled promptly, and 
I do not know how the Government could settle it, except by re(juiring 
the settlers to leave. I would be sorry to do anything that would pre- 
vent the settlers from getting pay for all their improvements. I think 
you ought to be paid for them. It is my duty, as an Indian commis- 
sioner, to look into this affair ; but I have no authority to act. 

William Boyd. We would be better satisfied if we knew whether we 
were to get anything or not. 

Thomas Cosgrove. I did not know it was going to be ah Indian 
reservation when I came here; and I purchased my i)lace from Mr. Eod- 
well. It was said that a reservation had been laid out for these Indi- 
ans, but that they would not live here. 

Mr. Brunot. I think you ought to have a reasonable compensation 
for your improvements. Those who came here in good faith ought to 
be paid. 

William Boyd. I thought as my wife was a Shoshone I had a right 
to live on the reservation; but I found I had not. But I do not want 
the Government to support my wife, and if I am not entitled to any- 
thing I want to know it. 

Doctor Irwin. General Augur, at the time of the treaty, said to half- 
breeds and men who were married to Indian women, ''You ought to 
move on to the reservation, and show these Indians how to farm.'' 

Mr. McAdams. I heard General Augur tell that to Jack Eobinsoa 
at Bridger, and there were plenty others who had Indian families 
heard it. 

Willia:m Boyd. I came in on that account. 

Mr. Brunot. Kutch and Davidson's claims are beside that of Mr. Wil- 
liams. What are they worth? 

Darius Williams. Kutch bas about 30 acres, and Davidson not so 
much. 

Doctor Ir^vin. How many days' work would it take to make the ditch 
to Kutch's place? 

William Evans. All that were bere at tljat time helped to make tbat 
ditch. It was a ditch that belonged to all of us, and irrigated all our 
gardens. Ten to twelve of us worked, off" and on, for two weeks, 
making it, probably, fifty or sixty days' work all told on the dam and 
ditch. With a plow and oxen it would not take long to do it ; but it 
was made with the pick and shovel. 

Jno. L. Parker. AVe worked olf and on at it. Eight or ten men 
worked about five days each. Did not work very hard at it. 

Thomas CosaROVE. I did not work at it. • 

William Evans. It would carry about 1,000 inches of water if it run 
very full. It will not carry that much now. It was 2 feet on the bet- 



29 

torn and 3 feet on the top, and about 1} to 2 feet deep. It ought to carry 
about 1,000 inches. It is about a half mile long. 

Mr. Beunot. Could you make an estimate of the value of Kutch's 
place ? 

William Boyd. His place and mine are of about the same Talue. 
My place cost me 61,000, buying the improvements and counting what 
I put on since. They are both of about the same value. 

Mr. Brunot. Would you consider Kutch's place has as many im- 
provements on it as William Boyd's^ 

Dakius Willluis. I would not think it was as well improved. The 
fence was put up last spring, and did not amount to much. 

THo:\rAS Cosgeo"VT<]. I think last spring, when he left, there was very 
little difference between them ; if anything, Mr. Boyd's was the best. 
On Davidson's place the buildings are better; but there is not so much 
land broken. Davidson's stable is the largest building in the valley, 
outside the agency. It was built for a house, but never linished. I 
traded the house to him for a horse. It was much less than it was 
worth. I bought it from IMr. Bodwell; but it was badly located, and I 
sold it. I do not think he has as much land broken by 10 or 12 acres as 
Kutch has, or as much under fence. 

Mr. Brunot. Would you give 8800 for Davidson's improvements, if 
you thought the title was good ? I mean for the improvements without 
the land. 

Tho:\ias Cosgrove. I think it is worth $800 to 81,000 for the work 
that has been done. I would give 8800 for it. 

Mr. Brunot. All the settlers in the valley are here, except Mr. Eod- 
gers ; where is he ? 

Doctor Irwin. Mr. Eodgers was out cutting hay and could not be 
gotten. 

Thomas Cosgrove. Last spring I bought a place because it was im- 
proved, and thought if it was right I could put in those improvements 
and be paid for tliem. I bought it from Mr. Espy. He came in the 
winter of 18G9. I thought if I was removed I would get the value of 
the work done. I did not buy it to speculate. 

Mr. Brunot. How many men are living in Popo-Agie Valley ? 

C. C. Williams. Seven : John Carnes, Jacob Fry, John Barnum, 
Ernest Honicher, John Nott, Henry Lovell, C. 0. Williams, and Mrs. S. 
L. liichardson. 

Mr. Brunot. How many on the Little Popo-Agie ? 

C. C. Williams. Four on the Little Popo-Agie, and one on the Eed 
Canyon. John Murphy, Martin Honicher, Joseph Farris, Edward 
Young, and a German man with Young, on the Little Popo-Agie, and 
Mr. Barrett and ]\Ir. Tweed in the Eed Canyon. 

Mr. Evans. I think that is all that are tliere. 

Left Wind Elver Valley agency September 30, arriving at South Pass 
on the evening of October 1. Stoj^ped in Miner's Delight, (Hamilton 
City.) Made fm-ther inquiry as to the circumstances of the killing of 
Heenan ; also as to the report current in the valley that the Indians had 
shot Johnny Atkiu's horse from under him, on Saturday. Learned that 
the horse was shot by two white men in day-light, for the purpose, as 
he (Atkins) thought, of robbery. The most trivial circumstances, and 
all the misdeeds of whites, are attributed to hostile Indians, although 
there are probably none within a hundred miles ; and thus a feverish 
state of excitement is kept up. 

In answer to the queries of persons in all of these towns, as to what 
was the prospect at the reservation, Mr. Brunot explained the provisions 



30 

of the articles of conveution, dwellincj more particularly on the part in 
which, while the settlers uow iu the valley are permitted to remain, the 
Government hinds itself not to permit any more to go npon the reser- 
vation uutil after Congress has ratified the articles of convention. 

In answer to the question whether the stock in this section could be 
driven on the reservation to winter, Mr. Brunot said that he did not 
wish in anything to interfere with the details of agency matters, or with 
anything that came under the su])ervision of Doctor Irwin as agent, 
and that while it was certain he (Doctor Irwin) would not permit large 
herds of stock to be driven in from other places to be wintered on the 
reservation, yet he (Mr. Brunot) thought it probable that if the milch- 
cows, oxen, and work-horses now in the neighborhood were driven in, 
and arrangements made with parties now there to winter it, that Doctor 
Irwin would not object. Mr. Brunot said he knew that Doctor Irwin 
would not let herders or other new men go upon the reservatiou, pending 
the action of Congress. 

Arrived at South Pass on Tuesday evening. On Wednesday morning 
left for Corinne, arriving Thursday evening, October 3. Leaving the 
same evening, arrived at Pittsburgh October 7, 1872. 

FELIX E. BEUNOT, 

Coynmissioner. 

TH03IAS K. Cree, Secretary. 



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